Botero v. Renoir

A smart way of beating summer heat is to tour Seoul museums, and a charming way to do so is to double it with a walk in Deoksu palace area.

These days, you're likely to come across a lot of colors and plump bodies : the MOCA Annex at Deoksugung features Fernando Botero, and the SeMA Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

There is definitely a pattern for both museums, with a Latino flavor for the former (see last year's "Masters of Latin American Art of the 20th Century"), and an impressionist (yet blockbuster) touch for the latter (Monet, van Gogh... even if the latter reaches beyond impressionism and even expressionism).

If you feel in a darker mood, you can also check that other SeMA exhibition, "Monster era - Dissonant Visions". Warning : unlike the recent neo-pop "Art in Bloom 2009" show, this one could be disturbing for young kids.



Renoir - "Promise of Happiness"
2009.05.28-09.13
Seoul Museum of Art
30, Misulgwan-gil, Seosomun-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, ROK 100-813
Tel +82.2.724.2900
renoirseoul.com

Fernando Botero
2009.06.30-09.17
The Annex of the National Museum of Contemporary Art at Deoksugung
Deoksugung, 5-1 Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, ROK
Tel +82.2.368.1414
botero.moca.kr

"Monster era - Dissonant Visions"
2009.06.24-08.30
Seoul Museum of Art
Apocalypse of Dystopia : Ahn Chang-hong, Ji Yong-ho (Jaguars), Kim Haesook (Metamorphosis), Lee Han-soo, Park Bul-ddong (3 collage effects including a startling portrait), Shin Hak-cheol, Song Myeong-jin
Forbidden Land : Debbie Han, Han Hyo-seok (portraits and installation recently exposed at Gallery Artside - Zeitgeist exhibition), Jang Ji-ha, Jeon Min-soo, Kim Joon, Kim Nam-pyo, Lee Wan.
Inner Monster : Lee Jae-heon (obviously a Bacon wannabe), Lee Seung-ae, Lim Yeong-jeon, Oh Chi-gyoon, Ryu Seung-hwan, Shim Seung-ook.